Oregon Statutes 465.250 – Accessibility of information about hazardous substances; entering property or facility; samples; confidentiality
(1) Any person who has or may have information, documents or records relevant to the identification, nature and volume of a hazardous substance generated, treated, stored, transported to, disposed of or released at a facility and the dates thereof, or to the identity or financial resources of a potentially responsible person, shall, upon request by the Department of Environmental Quality or its authorized representative, disclose or make available for inspection and copying such information, documents or records.
Terms Used In Oregon Statutes 465.250
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Person: includes individuals, corporations, associations, firms, partnerships, limited liability companies and joint stock companies. See Oregon Statutes 174.100
(2) Upon reasonable basis to believe that there may be a release of a hazardous substance at or upon any property or facility, the department or its authorized representative may enter any property or facility at any reasonable time to:
(a) Sample, inspect, examine and investigate;
(b) Examine and copy records and other information; or
(c) Carry out removal or remedial action or any other action authorized by ORS § 465.200 to 465.485 and 465.900.
(3) If any person refuses to provide information, documents, records or to allow entry under subsections (1) and (2) of this section, the department may request the Attorney General to seek from a court of competent jurisdiction an order requiring the person to provide such information, documents, records or to allow entry.
(4)(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this subsection, the department or its authorized representative shall, upon request by the current owner or operator of the facility or property, provide a portion of any sample obtained from the property or facility to the owner or operator.
(b) The department may decline to give a portion of any sample to the owner or operator if, in the judgment of the department or its authorized representative, apportioning a sample:
(A) May alter the physical or chemical properties of the sample such that the portion of the sample retained by the department would not be representative of the material sampled; or
(B) Would not provide adequate volume to perform the laboratory analysis.
(c) Nothing in this subsection shall prevent or unreasonably hinder or delay the department or its authorized representative in obtaining a sample at any facility or property.
(5) Persons subject to the requirements of this section may make a claim of confidentiality regarding any information, documents or records, in accordance with ORS § 466.090. [Formerly 466.565]